LIFE IN BALANCE

In the heart of Kibera, Africa’s largest slums, a group of young ballerinas defies both poverty and the escalating impacts of climate change in pursuit of their dreams. Surrounded by a maze of tin-roofed shacks and dusty alleyways, they train in makeshift spaces, transforming dance into a beacon of hope and social redemption.
But their battle extends far beyond the lack of proper facilities. Climate change is amplifying their struggles, transforming their passion into an even greater challenge. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and relentless floods are wreaking havoc on the few spaces available for practice. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, heavy rains are becoming more frequent, further straining Kibera’s already fragile infrastructure. Streets regularly dissolve into rivers of mud and sewage, spreading diseases like cholera and malaria. For many of these young dancers, training is frequently disrupted, not only to help their families rebuild homes destroyed by floods but also because illness has become an unavoidable part of life. Yet, their resilience is unbreakable and they are determined to keep their dreams alive.The consequences of climate change in Kibera extend far beyond the loss of homes and roads; they are robbing an entire generation of opportunities. But these ballerinas are fighting back. For them, dance is more than an art form, it is an act of defiance, a testament to resilience in a world that refuses to stand still beneath their feet.